Noise Patrol
"You can close your eyes but you can't shut your ears off, "says
John Wilkinson of Westminster
Council's noise team.
The first film in this new series follows the team as they try to make central London a quieter place. Barking dogs, blaring music, shouting neighbours and screeching burglar alarms can turn rational people into paranoid wrecks. So, although they now have extensive powers to break into cars or property where there is a noise nuisance, much of their work involves diplomacy as they diffuse explosive situations and soothe shattered nerves.
Future programmes include
Burglary, which talks to both cops and robbers about the art of breaking and entering; Reptiles, a look at the relationship between a press agency and the tabloid newspapers it services; and a special film to mark the 25th anniversary of the Chappaquiddick affair which includes evidence that series editor Steve Hewlett promises
"will cast an entirely new light on the events of that night". Producer Olivia Lichtenstein
POLLY TOYNBEE page 22